AN MP has called on the Government to host a debate on the latest situation around the Bilsdale Mast fire.

Thousands of homes throughout the North East and Yorkshire have been left without TV signal after the fire in August.

The collapse of the tower, and the delay of constructing a temporary replacement, has impacted Freeview, DAB and FM radio.

And now Darlington's MP Peter Gibson has called on the leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, to provide the opportunity for MPs to debate after a huge backlash from residents.

Mr Gibson said the lack of signal had a significant impact on elderly residents.

In repsonse, Mr Rees-Mogg said: “It is an important issue, and I understand that my honourable friends attended a meeting with Ministers at DCMS and ARQIVA.”

ARQIVA has begun lifting materials on to the Bilsdale site by helicopter as part of urgent work to build an 80m-high temporary mast.

The temporary structure should return Freeview TV services to more than 90 per cent of households across the area which were affected by a fire to the original Bilsdale mast last month.

Work to erect the temporary mast is dependent on the weather, but it is currently expected to be completed on Tuesday, October 5.